[BC] Satellite finders

[Glen Kippel]

On Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 1:37 PM, Dale H. Cook <feedback at plymouthcolony.net> wrote:
> 
>I always start with a compass and inclinometer to put the dish in the
>correct starting position. I use Sunout to take the dish latitude and
>longitude along with the satellite longitude and calculate the dish
>azimuth and elevation. The aim can then be fine-tuned with a spectrum
>analyzer and sat receiver. That approach has worked well for me for
>about a quarter of a century.

>-------------------
 
I just set the LNB on a desk or worktable and set the offset using an inclinometer.  Then set the elevation with the inclinometer.  (The ones with a magnetic base are handy, but there is always duct tape...)  Since magnetic compasses don't necessarily point in the right direction when in the presence of that steel dish mount, I have always used a plastic protractor from an office-supply store.  I set up a north-south line, plop the protractor down on top of the pipe and orient it for 180 degrees when I'm looking south.  Then swing the dish around to approximately the correct azimuth.  I have used an old Zephyrus analog receiver for a signal-strength indicator and peaked it up using that.  Then I hook up the digital receiver and see what kind of Eb/No is there, tweaking as necessary.  I had one guy look at the system with a spectrum analyzer after I was done and he couldn't improve on it.
 
My only problem with a dish was when I was setting up a 2.4-meter dish on a rooftop in Blythe, and I didn't have a signal-strength meter available.  I kept jogging the azimuth around the stated figure and couldn't get anything.  I called the satellite provider (NSN) and they confirmed the number.  Still no luck.  I called them back and then was told that they were giving me an azimuth from MAGNETIC north!  Of course, I had established a very accurate true north line based on the fact that the surveyors made the streets go north-south.  Once I had added 14 degrees and pointed the dish that way, the signal just popped right in with a good Eb/No.  I locked it down and went home, happy to be done with it.  
 
Oh, I still have that spectrum analyzer for sale if anyone wants it.